11 Ups & 5 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (July 30)

9. No Shane, No Problem

Kevin Owens
WWE.com

While last night's opening segment was, by the strictest definition, one of those revolving door talking gimmicks, it was short, purposeful, entertaining, and led directly to a match, making it a success.

Kevin Owens was delighted with Shane McMahon's announcement that he wouldn't be in the building. A sarcasm-laced opening saw him tell the audience they can get through this even without the former Commissioner, before he claimed that the show would finally belong to the talent, not Shane. He vowed to beat McMahon at SummerSlam, claiming that he didn't even belong in the ring with him, even if Shane's surname means he'll probably never stop showing up on SmackDown even if he loses.

Enter Drew McIntyre. Shane's hired muscle reckoned that KO "talks too much" and pointed out that his enemy had failed to mention their match later on. A sucker-punch followed and Owens was thrown over the announce table. Then came the bad news: McIntyre vs. Owens, there and then.

Good stuff all-round, with KO remaining one of the most compelling characters in the whole company.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.